Fabric-cutting device for knitting-machines.



PATBNTE D JUNE 7, 1904.

x J. J. 'HARCHBR. FABRIC CUTTING DEVICE FOR KNITTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION P ILED AUG. 6, 1908.

N0 MODEL.

. hventor:

UNITED STATES Patented June 7, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

FABRIC-CUTTING DEVICE FOR KNITTING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 762,166, dated June '7, 1904.

Application filed August 6, 1903- To all whom it ntay concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN J. HAROHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fabric-Cutting Devices for Knitting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in strippers for cuflY-knittirig machines, and has for its object to provide a device which will cut the material knitted into longitudinal strips before the same is wound upon the rolls.

I/Vith this end in view this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, the construction and operation will now be described in detail, referring to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure l is a side elevation of the .upper portion of the knitting-machine, showing my device applied thereto; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the upper portion of a knitting-machine, showing my device applied thereto; Fig. 3, a perspective view of my device by itself.

In knitting-machines for knitting cuffs the material of course is knitted in the form of a large tube, and this tube is cut into several strips, each strip being of sufiicient width so that when the edges are sewed together a cuff is formed. It is now the practice to out these tubes into strips after it is taken from the knitting-machine. Numerous devices have been tried to cut the material into strips before it is reeled; but none of such devices, as far as I know, have proved practical, because of the fact that stationary knives cannot be used, as it requires a sawing or shearing movement of the knives to properly cut the material, and as the spreader is upon the interior of the tube it is difficult to accomplish this movement. I accomplish the cutting in the following manner:

To the lower ends of the revolving frame Serial No. 168,421. (No model.)

A, which frame carries the reeling mechanism B, I secure the supports C upon each side.

D represents two rods or shafts journaled in the supports a distance apart, and the material E passes between these rods or shafts D as it travels from the needles to the reeling mechanism.

F represents semicircular knives adjustably secured upon the shafts D, there being as many knives as it is desired to cut strips from the tube E, and these knives are set the required distance apart, so as to cut the proper width strips. The knives upon one of the shafts cut the strips upon one side of the tube, and the knives upon the other shaft cut the strips upon the other side of the tube, as shown in Fig. 2.

Secured to one of the shafts D is a crankarm G, to the outer end of which is pivoted a link H, which extends up and is connected to the ratchet-rod I, which operates the reeling mechanism.

J represents two arms secured to the shafts D, extending downward therefrom, the lower end of these arms being connected together by a link K, so that when one of the shafts D is rocked the motion will be communicated to the opposite shaft. The knives F extend through the material, as shown in Fig. 2, and as the, ratchet-rod I operates up and down the motion will be communicated to the rod H, thereby rocking the shafts D backward and forward and causing the knives F to rock or oscillate through the material. Thus the material will be cut by a sawing or shearing movement of the knives.

Of course I do not wish to be limited to this exact manner of operating or oscillating the knives, as they could be rocked in any suitable manner desired from any portion of the machine, and I also do not wish to be limited to the exact construction here shown, as slight modifications could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is 1. In a knitting-machine having a revolving framework carrying the reeling mechanism, two parallel shafts journaled to the revolving framework below the reeling mechanism, between which shafts the knitted material passes before being reeled, knives adjustably and removabl y secured upon said shafts at desired intervals, and means for oscillating said shafts so as to rock or oscillate the knives, as and for the purpose specified.

2. In combination with a knitting-machine provided with a revolving framework carrying the reeling mechanism, two bearing-supports secured to the lower end of the revolving framework below the reeling mechanism, two parallel shafts journaled at each end in said supports, between which shafts the knitted material passes to the reeling mechanism, semicircular, adjustable and removable knives secured to said shafts, means for rocking one of the shafts and means for communicating the rocking movement to the other shaft, as and for the purpose specified.

3. In combination with a knitting-machine provided with a horizontally-revolving framework carrying the reeling mechanism, two

- bearing-supports secured to the lower ends of said revolving framework below the reeling mechanism, two parallel shafts journaled at each end in said supports, betweenwhich shafts the knitted material passes to the reeling mechanism, semicircular knives adjustably and removablysccured upon said shafts, said knives depending from said shafts with the rounded edge downward, means for rocking said shafts, as and for the purpose specified.

4. In combination with a knitting-machine provided with a revolving framework carrying the reeling mechanism, and a rod connected to a suitable source of power for operating the reeling mechanism, two bearing-supports secured to the lower ends of the revolving reel-frame, parallel shafts journaled at each end in the supports and arranged a distance apart, the material adapted to pass between said shafts, semicir'cular knives removably and adjustably secured upon said shafts, said knives depending from the shafts with the rounded edge downward, a crank-arm secured to one of the shafts, a link pivoted at one end in the outer end of said crank-arm, the other end of the link being connected to the rod which operates the reeling mechanism, two arms secured to each of the shafts at one end, the other end of the arms being connected together by a link, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN J. HARCHER. Witnesses:

EDWIN COBB, GEORGE B. SMITH. 

